Manchester United defender Tyrell Malacia has insisted he was only ever going to end up at Old Trafford once they made their interest clear.
The full-back joined United in a £13.5m deal from Feyenoord in the summer, with Erik ten Hag keen to sign a player he was more than aware of from his time in the Netherlands.
Initially Manchester United did not move for his signature, instead focusing on other areas of the team for improvement first.
However, when it became clear that Malacia was closing in on move to French side Lyon, they moved quickly to ensure that would not happen.
A bid to better the Ligue 1’s side’s offer was tabled to both Feyenoord and the player, with the latter quickly turning down the interest from Peter Bosz’s side in favour of the move to Manchester.
That decision left Lyon ‘furious’ but the defender insists that once United showed concrete interest, the battle for his signature was already over.
”I didn’t speak to coach Peter Bosz after that,” he told Algemeen Dagblad.
“I always dreamed of the Premier League. When Manchester United came, I knew where I wanted to go. It happened the way it did.’
”That will be the bench for him,” I heard people say. But I’ve always said I believe in my chances. And that I have already experienced enough to be able to fight for a starting place.
“Of course, it’s not as if it was all easy at Feyenoord. Ups and downs with wonderful moments, but also with big disappointments. With serious injuries. All those things have shaped me.
“I know how to deal with setbacks. And I know I will be there. Also, at Manchester United. In England, I was by no means considered the biggest buy.
“I knew that too. But if you perform, you don’t hear anyone about it anymore.”
